Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to extend operating hours for gyms and fitness centers, saying the current restrictions are difficult for working individuals.
In a post on X, Shoaib Malik addressed the chief minister and said that while regulating business hours is understandable, gyms should be given special consideration.
He pointed out that many office-goers can only work out after duty hours and added, “Health is as important as food.” He suggested extending gym timings to 10 p.m. to support a healthier society.
Respected CM @MaryamNSharif , while timely regulation of businesses is a welcome step, I reckon gyms and fitness centers deserve special consideration. Many office-goers work out after duty hours only. Health is as important as food, and extending gym timings to 22:00 as well…
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) April 27, 2026
His appeal comes after the government imposed early closure timings as part of austerity measures following a fuel crisis linked to the US–Israel conflict with Iran 2026, which disrupted oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
From April 7, markets and shopping malls across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir were ordered to close by 8 p.m., while restaurants were allowed to operate until 10 p.m.
In a revised notification issued later, the Islamabad administration extended the same restrictions to gyms and sports facilities, requiring them to close by 8 p.m. The measures remain in place until further notice.
The tweet also sparked mixed reactions on social media where some users supported Shoaib Malik’s suggestion, saying extended gym hours would benefit working professionals, while others criticized the appeal, arguing that fitness does not require a gym.
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